Final Deanery Gathering draws crowd to JPII Catholic High School

Some 300 faithful from places such as Tallahassee, Madison, Quincy, Perry and points in between gathered at the high school to, pray, play and picnic.

KATHY GROBE | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Posted: 06.19.09

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, carries the body of Christ in the monstrance in procession from the Mass at the Deanery Gathering to the chapel for the beginning of eucharistic adoration.

TIM GROBE | FC
Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, carries the body of Christ in the monstrance in procession from the Mass at the Eastern Deanery Gathering to the chapel for the beginning of eucharistic adoration.

TALLAHASSEE | The grounds of John Paul II Catholic High School here buzzed with activity June 6 as parishioners, families and friends from across the Eastern Deanery gathered to celebrate 450 years of faith in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

As volunteers and committee members swarmed the grounds putting finishing touches on displays and booths, setting up games for children and refreshments for all, the sun broke through the haze, ending the threat of rain and setting the stage for the events to come.

Some 300 faithful from places such as Tallahassee, Madison, Quincy, Perry and points in between gathered in the JPII gymnasium to worship. As Mass began, Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Margaret Kuntz, co-chairwoman, welcomed participants to the final deanery celebration marking the diocese’s Year of Faith Engaged!, reminding them of their rich heritage. Sister Kuntz also announced that the middle school youths from the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More had won their division in the Faith-Filled Flicks competition that was part of the year of Faith Engaged! Led by Maureen Brown-Muir, director of religious education, participants stepped forward to be recognized for their video. As part of the year of St. Paul, they had focused in their winning effort on the saint’s own conversion and his conversion of others.

Led by priests and deacons from around the deanery, the congregation learned much about their diocese and their history as a Catholic community during the Mass.

Eliana Howell, front, and Erica Thomas of Un Pedacito de Mi Panama (A Little Piece of My Panama) perform a traditional Panamanian dance during the Eastern Deanery Gathering June 6 at John Paul II High School in Tallahassee.

TIM GROBE | FC
Eliana Howell, front, and Erica Thomas of Un Pedacito de Mi Panama (A Little Piece of My Panama) perform a traditional Panamanian dance during the Eastern Deanery Gathering June 6 at John Paul II High School.

“We (the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee) have been a eucharistic community since 1559,” said Bishop John J. Ricard, SSJ, principal celebrant of the Mass. “In the year 2000, I celebrated Mass at the restored Mission San Luis, and it was the first Mass on that site in 300 years. And, as we celebrate here today, we must remind ourselves that our faith has been here for centuries; we must remind ourselves that we must keep that faith alive. We must step back and take time to reflect on the Eucharist,” he continued. “It’s in our Catholic DNA. No one at Mass is a bystander. We all share in the eucharistic celebration. It reminds us of the profound humility of Jesus, of his faith in us, his trust in us that he allows us this privilege.”

In receiving the Eucharist, “I urge you to imitate what it contains and to become what you receive. This is how the Eucharist comes to fullness. It is not just for our nourishment, but for the nourishment of the world. And the world that does not know Christ is a world that is in trouble,” the bishop said.

As Mass drew to a close, a quiet procession left the gym for the school chapel, where the Eucharist was exposed and worshippers knelt in adoration throughout the day.

Elsewhere, a whirlwind of activities, booths, picnic lunches, dancing and music filled the grounds.

Tomeisha Eaton, chairwoman of the organizing committee and a parishioner at St. Eugene Chapel in Tallahassee, was happy with the results of the committee’s efforts, and grateful for all the work that went into the day’s events. “To all the members of the planning committee, the volunteers, the priests, the bishop and all the people who were able to come to enjoy this gathering, thank you for everything!” Eaton said. “Throughout the planning and at this event itself, I can really see the Holy Spirit at work in all of you. I see just how rich this deanery is in history, spirit and love.”

As the afternoon progressed, Father Richard Schamber of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tallahassee and Father Juan Pedro Hernandez-Alonzo of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Quincy led reflections on the Eucharist in English and Spanish. Later in the day Franciscan Father Robert Young discussed the history of Mission San Luis. Families picnicked on the grounds, browsed booths from groups such as Catholic Charities, Trinity Catholic School and Engaged Encounter, and enjoyed sno-cones, popcorn, drinks and desserts. Bingo, sidewalk chalk art, three-legged races and a performance by the dance group Un Pedacito de Mi Panama (a Little Piece of Panama) rounded out the day.

A rosary for life and Benediction in the JPII chapel provided a fitting ending for a day of Faith Engaged!

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